The Parable of Pistachios and Peanuts

If you look at a pistachio, a peanut, a walnut, or an almond what you see first is the hard outer shell. The good stuff is on the inside. This applies to people too. The special part of the person is on the inside, the soul, their spirit. When a person’s outer shell, their physical body, ceases to breathe their soul lives on. We’re assured that after death believers are perpetually in the presence of God, pain free, and praising the Creator.

And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of His Spirit who lives in you. – Romans 8:11

Artist – Aubry Marriott

The Rest of the Story

My mom was 85 and in poor health. I was in class when I received word to come now. I left in the middle of the period so my high schoolers all knew something serious was happening. Mom passed away but I still felt called to go to school the next day. I was considering how to share about my mom and my confidence that she was in a better place. I didn’t think I could say what was on my heart without a flood of tears. I had been teaching my New Testament class how Jesus instructed people using parables and familiar objects. This led to the creation of The Parable of Pistachios and Peanuts. I passed around a bowl of nuts and copies of the parable to each student at the beginning of each class period. I was able to share my sorrow and joy with “my kids.” The artist of this picture is one of “my kids” and was there when I presented this parable.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants. – Psalm 116:15